at the navy's home in virginia, crews readies aircraft carriers and battleships to move if the going gets too rough. >> we pride ourselves on being ready to do whatever needs to be done. >> reporter: in new jersey it's the surf that's getting rough, keeping lifeguards on their toes. >> we are seeing the surf effect start to happen. our lifeguards are watching for riptides. we're keeping bathers close to shore. >> reporter: in new england where rocky seas turned deadly yesterday for a fisherman, they are bracing for the first hurricane to hit that reason since hurricane bob nearly two decades ago. >> we are well overdue. the last was in 1991. >> reporter: ready or not, welcome or not, here comes earl. fema activated national and regional response centers moving food, water and other supplies into position, brian. >> ron mott along the north carolina coast for us as well tonight. ron, thanks. >>> with us this evening, longtime hurricane specialist brian norcross from the weather channel. brian, i was listening to you earlier today make two points about the science of this. number one,